Are PSAT scores a good predictor for the actual SAT?

SMCHopefull

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2010
Messages
13
Could someone help me breakdown these scores. I am just checking my scores from last year. Here are my scores:
-Critical Reading-50/scored higher than 75% of sophomores in the nation/predicted SAT score 460-570
-Mathematics-52/scored higher than 78% of sophomores in the nation/predicted SAT score 480-590
-Writing Skills-53/scored higher than 84% of sophomores in the nation/predicted SAT score 490-610
Now this is for the class of 2012 not 2013 sophomores that just took it. Are these scores good? Are the SAT predicted scores close to what people score and should I score higher since I have had more schooling since then. I want to take the SAT in January and the ACT sometime near then. Based on these stats what do you think I would score on the SAT all 3 sections combined. Any estimate is fine. If you can't assist I understand, it all seems pretty complex to me.
 
Could someone help me breakdown these scores. I am just checking my scores from last year. Here are my scores:
-Critical Reading-50/scored higher than 75% of sophomores in the nation/predicted SAT score 460-570
-Mathematics-52/scored higher than 78% of sophomores in the nation/predicted SAT score 480-590
-Writing Skills-53/scored higher than 84% of sophomores in the nation/predicted SAT score 490-610
Now this is for the class of 2012 not 2013 sophomores that just took it. Are these scores good? Are the SAT predicted scores close to what people score and should I score higher since I have had more schooling since then. I want to take the SAT in January and the ACT sometime near then. Based on these stats what do you think I would score on the SAT all 3 sections combined. Any estimate is fine. If you can't assist I understand, it all seems pretty complex to me.

Alright I'm just going to give you my experience, as it differs for everyone. Right now I'm a senior. I took the PSAT my sophomore year. The projected scores were....
Critical Reading: 480-590
Math: 490-600
Writing: 520-630

The highest I've scored in CR was 600, Math was 640, and Writing was 620. All those scored came from November and March(?) of my junior year. So for those scores, the PSAT was a decent indicator.

Now, you mentioned the ACT. I scored quite a bit better on that. Composite of 32. So I guess it just depends on the person.

Anyway, hope I helped.
 
I think tests like PSAT and the PLAN are a big waste of time. They aren't really considered by most colleges and if you're going to study for these tests to get an "estimate" of how well you'll do on the actual tests, you might as well just take the official SAT/ACT tests, which are essentially the same, only longer, versions. Your PSAT scores aren't going to help you get into college - but your SAT scores will.
 
I think tests like PSAT and the PLAN are a big waste of time. They aren't really considered by most colleges and if you're going to study for these tests to get an "estimate" of how well you'll do on the actual tests, you might as well just take the official SAT/ACT tests, which are essentially the same, only longer, versions. Your PSAT scores aren't going to help you get into college - but your SAT scores will.

Remember, though, that a good PSAT score can get you to SLS, so it pays to take it seriously.
 
Could someone help me breakdown these scores. I am just checking my scores from last year. Here are my scores:
-Critical Reading-50/scored higher than 75% of sophomores in the nation/predicted SAT score 460-570
-Mathematics-52/scored higher than 78% of sophomores in the nation/predicted SAT score 480-590
-Writing Skills-53/scored higher than 84% of sophomores in the nation/predicted SAT score 490-610
Now this is for the class of 2012 not 2013 sophomores that just took it. Are these scores good? Are the SAT predicted scores close to what people score and should I score higher since I have had more schooling since then. I want to take the SAT in January and the ACT sometime near then. Based on these stats what do you think I would score on the SAT all 3 sections combined. Any estimate is fine. If you can't assist I understand, it all seems pretty complex to me.

Add a 'zero' to the end of your PSAT score and that is the predicted SAT score.
In your case- your predicted SAT is:
CR - 500
Math - 520
Writing- 530
Total Score: CR+ Math - 1020 (or CR+ Math+ Writing - 1550)

I think tests like PSAT and the PLAN are a big waste of time. They aren't really considered by most colleges and if you're going to study for these tests to get an "estimate" of how well you'll do on the actual tests, you might as well just take the official SAT/ACT tests, which are essentially the same, only longer, versions. Your PSAT scores aren't going to help you get into college - but your SAT scores will.

PSAT scores are used to determine eligibility for National Merit, so in that sense, the PSAT is very important.
If you are a National Merit winner, that WILL help you get into college.
 
I think tests like PSAT and the PLAN are a big waste of time. They aren't really considered by most colleges and if you're going to study for these tests to get an "estimate" of how well you'll do on the actual tests, you might as well just take the official SAT/ACT tests, which are essentially the same, only longer, versions. Your PSAT scores aren't going to help you get into college - but your SAT scores will.

I took it yesterday and it was different than I expected, so now I can study better and be more prepared for SAT.
 
I took the PSAT 9th, 10th, and 11th grade. Waste of time in my opinion. But my school had it during the day on a wed, and requires everyone to take it. My PSAT scores were about 50 points lower per section than my SAT.

If you are going to be taking the PSAT on your own time, don't. Just take the SAT. Far more valuable. If your school has it during classes, you might as well take it.
 
Scholarship Money

See post #5 above and I'll add:

An avalanche of scholarship money from schools across the nation, if your scores are high on the PSAT. :yay::yay:
 
The PSAT's are just what the name implies - a practice/preliminary SAT. While the sections on the SAT are slightly more challenging, I felt that the PSAT is nearly identical in format. However, I did not do that well on the PSAT, despite studying to get into SLS. The SAT math sections were also a bit more of a challenge. Im not great on math sections of standardized tests. I felt that the ACT math was MUCH more easy to complete and I did much better on them. Remember though, no computer can really "tell" you what you will score on a test. It is an estimate. Just study hard for the SAT/ACT and you can really improve and do well.:thumb: The National Merit is a huge bonus for any college, even a traditional liberal arts school.
 
Last edited:
PSAT scores are used to determine eligibility for National Merit, so in that sense, the PSAT is very important.
If you are a National Merit winner, that WILL help you get into college.

True, but poster wanted to know if the PSAT was a good predictor. I do not sense that he is trying to score high enough to earn a National Merit only to score decently on the SAT. Besides, you would have to place extremely high to be considered a winner...not an easy feat and if you're nowhere close to getting it, I would advise that you simply study for the SAT/ACT for a great score.
 
Back
Top